Parliaments reveal our politicians’ expenses claims

General Election2015'Count results for Berwickshire , Roxburghshire and Selkirk.'Springwood Park Kelso.''A recount has been called for the seat. 'Called at nearly 5am.''Conservative candidate John Lamont , looking apprehensive as he awaits the result of this mornings recount.'''PIC PHIL WILKINSON 'info@philwilkinson.net'www.philwilkinson.net'01316186373 - 07740444373

Published:14:08Wednesday 12 August 2015

Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP John Lamont has emerged as the most prolific claimant of expenses of the region’s elected representatives at Holyrood.

Figures released by the Scottish Parliament reveal that the Conservative member made 486 separate claims in 2014/15 and received a total of £27,631 on top of his basic salary of £58,678.

His expenses included £7,115 in personal travel, £3,124 on accommodation in Edinburgh, £2,158 for staff travel, £12,293 in office costs and £1,720 for surgery advertisements.

South of Scotland list MSP Jim Hume (Lib Dem), who lives at Newtown, submitted 108 claims worth £13,111. He spent £1,788 on personal travel, £3,567 on accommodation in the capital and £7,461 on office costs.

The SNP’s Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South,Tweeddale and Lauderdale, received a total of £11,451 from 141 claims, including £1,106 for personal travel, £37 for staff travel, £7,799 for office costs and £1,720 for advertising her surgeries.

At Westminster, Michael Moore, the former Lib Dem MP who lost his Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk seat at the General Election, claimed £46,645 in expenses on top of his salary of £66,396 in 2014/15.

This included £8,459 for accommodation, £19,299 for his office, £7,822 for staffing (not included in the MSP figures) and £10,968 for travel.

The region’s other MP, Conservative David Mundell (Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale), received expenses totalling £58,678.